Community Reviews

I should let a little time pass before writing down my thoughts on this gem of a comic. Instead, I will rave about how much I loved it, how hard it hit me, how it's such a huge shame that this is the only book translated into English by this French author/illustrator, how incredible its drawings are, very similar to Craig Thompson if you like him, how Pedrosa is one of the few black and white artists I've encountered who can really utilize the contrast of deep blacks and stark whites to perfecti

I should let a little time pass before writing down my thoughts on this gem of a comic. Instead, I will rave about how much I loved it, how hard it hit me, how it's such a huge shame that this is the only book translated into English by this French author/illustrator, how incredible its drawings are, very similar to Craig Thompson if you like him, how Pedrosa is one of the few black and white artists I've encountered who can really utilize the contrast of deep blacks and stark whites to perfection, how happy I am that I stumbled into this book in the library without any prior knowledge of it or its author's existence, how he weaves a simple story of two parents' love for their child and the lengths they will go to to ensure his safety, the kind that really punches you in the gut with the reminder that you and the people you love are mortal....more

Kids, from time to time, will die from terrible conditions that for-better-or-worse will give parents a good space of time in which to quietly go mad. Leukemia, cancer, some horrible incurable disease that causes the body to slowly shut down. It happens. And it's always distasteful. And Cyril Pedrosa made a comic about it.

It's times like this that the term comic is grossly inadequate as a descriptor of what it hopes to describe.

I am the father of a young daughter and the possibility of losing he

Kids, from time to time, will die from terrible conditions that for-better-or-worse will give parents a good space of time in which to quietly go mad. Leukemia, cancer, some horrible incurable disease that causes the body to slowly shut down. It happens. And it's always distasteful. And Cyril Pedrosa made a comic about it.

It's times like this that the term comic is grossly inadequate as a descriptor of what it hopes to describe.

I am the father of a young daughter and the possibility of losing her haunts me. It's completely unreasonable. I live in Southern California and the probability that my daughter will at least get a full two decades of life is ridiculously high. I know this. And yet every morning I wake up and wonder if this will be it, if this will be the last day I get to enjoy my child. The thought is ever only fleeting and I don't spend my days weighted by a morbid gloom, but nonetheless the fear exists and is powerful enough to assert its presence daily.

One might reasonably presume that I would suffer some trouble while reading what amounts to a story concerning, principally, a father's reaction to the news that his only child will soon die. I didn't. And it may be to Pedrosa's credit that I could read through what should be some morbid, morbid stuff without curling up in a ball and hating the world for what it does to unlucky families.

Three Shadows, for all its heartbreak, really is a wonderful work. Pedrosa's art is dynamic and assured, balancing a deep naturalism with necessary storytelling chops. I want to see more of his work and I want to see it now. His visual sense more than compensates for how little dialogue wanders through his book. Certainly Pedrosa uses words, but more often than not, he simply uses his pagework to bring texture and life to his story about death.

Any work about such a darkly emotional topic will find itself hounded by one great threat: the danger of becoming a cheap, sentimentalist ploy. A full ninety-three percent of movies about dogs fall into this trap. Easy manipulation. Contrived heartbreak. Formulaic beats. As Hollywood shows us at least yearly, hammering on heartstrings to get a reaction and jerk some tears is child's play for even incompetent writers. Pedrosa could have gone this route and let his artwork trick us into thinking we were reading something great and whelming. He, fortunately, is better than that.

Three Shadows cloaks the misery of an unpreventable death in an almost faerytale garment. Joaquim doesn't start coughing up flecks of blood or feeling unbearably lethargic or getting shockingly sudden headaches that knock him off his feet. Instead, he one day sees three dark riders, watching him from the distance. While at first they simply seem to ride off, causing his parents to laugh off their concerns, the family soon finds that Joaquim's every movement is haunted by these dark horsemen. Lise is petrified and torn apart by her inability to care for her son. Louis, a man of tremendous power, is broken by his inability to protect his son. And quickly, Three Shadows becomes an exploration of how two parents might react to terrible news.

Pedrosa's book balances between whimsical, fantasy elements and the darkness of real-world tragedies, delivering something closer to a meditation on impending loss than a critique of how one might deal with such an inherently counter-rational experience. Despite its subject matter, Three Shadows never threatens to be more than one can take. If anything, its lessons are delivered gently and with deep empathy.

When I showed my husband my latest First Second graphic novel, Three Shadows, he took a gander at where the book had originally been published. “France? Doesn’t First Second know that there are hardworking American graphic novelists being put out of their jobs because of guys like this?” He was joking of course, but after a while a person might begin to agree. Where DOES First Second come up with these people? If they’re not romancing us with handsome mummies as in The Professor’s Daughter thenWhen I showed my husband my latest First Second graphic novel, Three Shadows, he took a gander at where the book had originally been published. “France? Doesn’t First Second know that there are hardworking American graphic novelists being put out of their jobs because of guys like this?” He was joking of course, but after a while a person might begin to agree. Where DOES First Second come up with these people? If they’re not romancing us with handsome mummies as in The Professor’s Daughter then these overseas masters of the pen are shooting dogs into space like in Laika. Cyril Pedrosa is French, but looking at his style alone you wouldn’t be inclined to give his pen a strict nationality. This is maybe one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. Can you “read” an image? “Reading” Pedrosa can be dangerous. It means fully immersing yourself in a story that, at its heart, is about the death of a child and how parents fight and cope with the tragedy. You have to be able to trust that the artist will get you in and out of this kind of subject matter with skill. Fortunately, in this particular case there is little need for worry.

When little Joachim sees “shadows” staring at him from his window at night, it doesn’t initially seem to be of any concern. Sure, there are three mysterious horsemen on the hill by his home, but is that a crime? Until now Joachim, his mother, and his father have all lived an idyllic life consisting of planting, skinny-dipping, and long nights in front of the fire. Yet the presence of the shadows is undoubtedly sinister and when the boy’s mother discovers their real purpose, her husband decides to take matters into his own hands. They want his son? Fine. They’ll just have to follow where he goes, over the river and to a land where they’ll be safe. Soon, though, it becomes clear that the journey to safety may be more dangerous than anyone could have expected. And when at last it’s time to let go, it is Joachim who enables his father to face the truth and who helps him understand at last.

The bookflap of this novel says this about the story’s creation. "Three Shadows was born out of the agony of watching his close friends’ child die very young.” Maybe a parent who had lost a child firsthand would have been too close to the material. Maybe it took a friend like Mr. Pedrosa to put a magical realism spin on the action and make something that is more “true” than a straight memoir might be. A book like this, working with the hope that it will convey at least a smidgen of what a person feels when their child is taken away, has to rely on the skill of the author’s storytelling. So it is that we encounter several lives. There are moral uncertainties and terrible choices, and it is the mix of these stories that make this book a richer piece of fiction. The story makes a rather odd turn when Joachim at last confronts the three shadows and we take a peculiar interlude into the decadent upper echelons of rich society. Otherwise the script is tight and the scenes a valuable part of the whole.

You might wonder what other artistic endeavors Mr. Pedrosa has dipped his toe into. Well I’m getting all my information about him from the bookflap of this title, so take that for what it’s worth. Apparently Pedrosa, “began his career in animation, working on, among others, the Disney films Hunchback of Notre Dame and Hercules.” I wouldn’t have had a clue about this without reading this info. Thinking of those two films you get a very clear image in your mind of that particular Disney style. And certainly Pedrosa’s art is, above all, wholly cinematic. There are close-ups, landscape shots, views from above, and magnificent dream sequences. There are panels that stretch across the page in long strips, panels that are tiny boxes and others that work without lines or borders.

More than this, however, is the man’s use of line. He is to long thin curvy lines what Peter Sis is to dots and speckles. Whole scenes are carved out of twisted lines that sweep about the characters. And yet it is the sheer variety of artistic styles that will impress you the most. When Joachim’s father takes him away to be “safe” the sequence of the boy leaving his mother is done in sharp contrasting shadows, the mom almost barely more than a shadow by the end. Or there's the golem sequence that looks more scratchboard than ink. And yet the image in this book of Joachim pulling a chair across the floor, in spite of all the technical beauty of Pedrosa’s ink, is my favorite image if only because it feels so real and true. That then is the true reason I respect the man’s work.

All this, and not a single sacrifice made on the part of character. Motivations are never purer than when they are invested in keeping your children healthy and happy. There’s not a person in this book that doesn’t appear to know his or her own mind. What they do, they do out of self-interest, or on behalf of someone who is impotent. Except the three shadows, of course. They too know their own minds, but their actions are on behalf of something we cannot hope to understand while we live.

You may wonder if this is an appropriate inclusion in your children’s collection, to which I would have to reply, “Ah, the French”. About page four you get a look at innocent full family nudity that is highlighting the sweetness of their life together and will make many a parent shake in their shoes. Boobs! And later in the book when the family is sleeping, more boobs! And hanging dangling bits! So, taking into account the maturity of the subject matter, the allusions to what happens to African female slaves, and the sheer amount of breasts in the book, best to be putting this in the teen and adult sections of your library, I should think.

The book begins with the poem “Not Pleasant But True” by Deborah Garrison about a parent’s wish to die in their child’s stead. It’s a small poem. No more than ten lines in length, but the tone is there. And yet, this is not a story that dwells in misery and loss without acknowledging life in all its mysteries. Three Shadows is a sometimes subtle, sometimes chaotic, always beautiful book that dares to tackle every parent’s deepest fear. Heartbreaking and brilliant by turns, this is required reading.

Beautiful book. I don't want to give much away because part of the beauty is letting the story unfold on its own, even when you've figured out what's going on. This book held me in suspense, wondering what was going to happen once the three shadows revealed themselves. What would they look like, what would they ask of the family? Like the book jacket asks, How far would a parent go to save their child? It's a question that has probably crossed anyone's mind when they have a child.

The story did sBeautiful book. I don't want to give much away because part of the beauty is letting the story unfold on its own, even when you've figured out what's going on. This book held me in suspense, wondering what was going to happen once the three shadows revealed themselves. What would they look like, what would they ask of the family? Like the book jacket asks, How far would a parent go to save their child? It's a question that has probably crossed anyone's mind when they have a child.

The story did slow down a little bit during the boat trip and the part of the mansion, but overall this book was a joy to read. I loved seeing the quiet but idyllic life of the family at the start of the book and the drawings captured the emotions of the characters and the mood of the story.

This brought a tear to my eye because part of the process of life is having to learn to let go. A very lovely story....more

I took this randomly, just to kill time at public library because I had had what I wanted to borrow. I didn't even know at first that it was graphic novel, the title intrigued me.

For someone who is very used to manga artwork, this graphic novel is a whole new thing for me, but I had read Buddha, watched Persepolis, and that kind of artwork doesn't turn me off. It is cute, actually. Unique. And like drawing using coal on a wall, wonderful.

The story itself is quite breath-taking because I didn'tI took this randomly, just to kill time at public library because I had had what I wanted to borrow. I didn't even know at first that it was graphic novel, the title intrigued me.

For someone who is very used to manga artwork, this graphic novel is a whole new thing for me, but I had read Buddha, watched Persepolis, and that kind of artwork doesn't turn me off. It is cute, actually. Unique. And like drawing using coal on a wall, wonderful.

The story itself is quite breath-taking because I didn't expect this book to be non-fantasy. Each pages I kept guessing what these shadows really wanted, until the grandma said to the shadows that she was ready and when the mom said that she was ready to let the shadows take her kid...and I was like: "Oh"

Yesterday there was a distant relative of mine who cried in front of me. Her husband died several months ago, and then not long after that, her niece died of child birth complication. I my self had never known about that until I went back home. I knew she really loved her husband and it is really hard for her that she almost comes everyday to visit grandma, just to stay away from memories of her husband in their house. And I was stupid enough yesterday to ask what exactly happened to her niece because I ran out of topic and grandma was not home. She cried, saying I could never understand and I might have never survived if I were her. I remember, when my grandpa died years ago, I cried the whole night.

It's about letting go and accepting brutal fact that we can't run away from death. To move forward and live our life. The mom's line that still rings in my mind is when they parted. It is just saddening. At least the ending is not depressing :))...more

I picked this up on a whim, while wandering the library last week. There's nothing I love more than to peek at what they've added to the graphic novel section under "library favorites". Someone out there wanted me to read this, and I happily obliged! Especially once I opened it to take a cursory glance at the first page. Three Shadows both looked, and sounded, like something I needed to take home with me. So, I did.

This is the story of Joachim, an adorable bundle of excitement and youth. The reaI picked this up on a whim, while wandering the library last week. There's nothing I love more than to peek at what they've added to the graphic novel section under "library favorites". Someone out there wanted me to read this, and I happily obliged! Especially once I opened it to take a cursory glance at the first page. Three Shadows both looked, and sounded, like something I needed to take home with me. So, I did.

This is the story of Joachim, an adorable bundle of excitement and youth. The reader is introduced to his little family unit and the safe haven they call home. Full of fish to catch, berries to pick, and any number of adventures a young boy might want to have. I took instantly to Joachim and his family. They were so happy. So very peaceful. Then, as the synopsis promised, the shadows appeared. Suddenly this little family was afraid, and on the brink of breaking. I can assure you, this isn't always the happiest of stories. It is, however, a beautiful one.

What sold me on this book, more than anything else, was the illustrations. Three Shadows is done in a style that is very sketch-book in nature. Stark white and black, but with so much movement that it's not hard at all to follow along. I actually appreciated the lack of color in these panels. It allowed me the opportunity to bring my own color to the story. To paint in the joy, the innocence, and even the heartbreak. It was a daring move on the part of the illustrator, since so many graphic novels are richly colored, but it is well suited to this particular story.

I can't say much more without spoiling anything. This is a story of love, loss, and the great lengths that people will go to in order to protect the ones that mean the most. I don't know what I was expecting when I first picked this up, but I can assure you that it lived up to whatever that was. This wasn't my favorite graphic novel of the year, but it's definitely up there. Recommended to all....more

Beautiful, allegorical fairytale. An idyllic family of three living in the woods, become aware that there are three shadows watching them, seemingly getting closer. The father attempts to protect his family from the mysterious trio, without knowing what they want or having any idea of what they will do next.

The book is beatifully drawn, with lots of controlled scribbly lines (a little reminiscent of a slightly lighter Mattotti), but Pedrosa varies his style to good effect. Some of the pages areBeautiful, allegorical fairytale. An idyllic family of three living in the woods, become aware that there are three shadows watching them, seemingly getting closer. The father attempts to protect his family from the mysterious trio, without knowing what they want or having any idea of what they will do next.

The book is beatifully drawn, with lots of controlled scribbly lines (a little reminiscent of a slightly lighter Mattotti), but Pedrosa varies his style to good effect. Some of the pages are really stunning.

Pedrosa is an animator for Disney, and it really shows - the images are really dynamic. Sometimes the characters themselves can be a little too cartoony, the expressions a little too exaggerated. It's not unattractive, but I found it a little jarring against the rest of the art. I got used to it though. Also, I found his pacing was a little erratic - the flow didn't seem to be quite right. I may be wrong, but I think this is not uncommon in animators coming to comics. I'm not sure what causes this feeling - it'd be a good area for more thought and analysis.

In the end, the story, while pleasant and enjoyable, feels a little slight, and maybe takes a little too long in the telling (certainly, it seemed to keep going longer than necessary). I would recommend this book on the strength of its art, and I hope that Pedrosa's comics chops improve. I'll keep an eye out for his other work....more

Pedrosa makes good (and creepy) use of light and dark throughout this graphic novel. The pages fit together perfectly. He'll have two pages of black on white drawing, four pages of white onThe thing about graphic novels is this: they are all so different. I realize that's true of all books - but it becomes apparent so quickly with graphic novels.

Pedrosa makes good (and creepy) use of light and dark throughout this graphic novel. The pages fit together perfectly. He'll have two pages of black on white drawing, four pages of white on black... It's beautiful and haunting - like the shadows in the book.

The story focuses in on a family, and a child that is being followed by three shadows that won't let him alone. The father takes the son and tries to escape, but the shadows - like ringwraiths - are always in pursuit.

Found this title on a list of recommended graphic novels, and would definitely recommend it myself. Pedrosa comes out of an animation background, and it shows in the lively fluency of his well-rendered cartooning. The characters are full of vitality, and perhaps more impressively, his backgrounds have an impressive quality of solidity, due to his deft handling of shadow and light. And while I read it very quickly-- more quickly than material of this quality deserves-- I found myself quite movedFound this title on a list of recommended graphic novels, and would definitely recommend it myself. Pedrosa comes out of an animation background, and it shows in the lively fluency of his well-rendered cartooning. The characters are full of vitality, and perhaps more impressively, his backgrounds have an impressive quality of solidity, due to his deft handling of shadow and light. And while I read it very quickly-- more quickly than material of this quality deserves-- I found myself quite moved at the end. An impressive piece of work.

I really liked this, though I don't know quite what to make of it-- the story is interesting, especially in its parts, but at the same time, I'm not sure it all hangs together. There are sequences, like the getting on the boat stuff, that take a lot longer than I think they are worth, and elements that are never really resolved satisfyingly-- like the slave holder stuff. And I struggled to see if this was a story for kids, which isn't entirely my thing, or if it was meant for adults, and if thatI really liked this, though I don't know quite what to make of it-- the story is interesting, especially in its parts, but at the same time, I'm not sure it all hangs together. There are sequences, like the getting on the boat stuff, that take a lot longer than I think they are worth, and elements that are never really resolved satisfyingly-- like the slave holder stuff. And I struggled to see if this was a story for kids, which isn't entirely my thing, or if it was meant for adults, and if that's the case, I don't think it really gave me as an adult enough of a deep reading experience to really satisfy.... It was good, but just sort of partway there for me.

Which is no critique of the art or the visual storytelling, which is really accomplished-- lots of nice pictures, and better yet, groups of pictures that direct your attention appropriately but also feed the eyes.

This would be a great example of why I adore :01. Wish I could say I had a hand in any of the design or progress of this book. Pedrosa's lines are so fluid and dynamic. This is a perfect example of a book that was meant to be b&w. Rather than the eye focusing on color instead it focuses on the movement and the flow of the panels. The story itself is incredible, both heart-breaking and I found myself laughing at parts as well (hic-uping angel of death, anyone, anyone?) Even the most minor ofThis would be a great example of why I adore :01. Wish I could say I had a hand in any of the design or progress of this book. Pedrosa's lines are so fluid and dynamic. This is a perfect example of a book that was meant to be b&w. Rather than the eye focusing on color instead it focuses on the movement and the flow of the panels. The story itself is incredible, both heart-breaking and I found myself laughing at parts as well (hic-uping angel of death, anyone, anyone?) Even the most minor of characters, a good example being the slave girl on the ship, are fully formed. You can see her train of thought in her eyes, she isn't merely there to be a victim or to be a symbol, her actions are guided by the complexity of a real person, not just a literary device. Cannot wait to see what Pedrosa does next. ...more

This graphic novel is noteworthy for people who are going through a tough, sad, or confused time. Not only does the graphic novel give a story, but “two stories” and the second one has a deeper meaning that affects the way we think about others. “Three Shadows” by Cyril Pedrosa, starts out with the little boy, Joachim and his parents who live simply in the country. Everything is perfect, but everything changes when they are stalked by three shadows. Joachim and his dad go on a journey away fromThis graphic novel is noteworthy for people who are going through a tough, sad, or confused time. Not only does the graphic novel give a story, but “two stories” and the second one has a deeper meaning that affects the way we think about others. “Three Shadows” by Cyril Pedrosa, starts out with the little boy, Joachim and his parents who live simply in the country. Everything is perfect, but everything changes when they are stalked by three shadows. Joachim and his dad go on a journey away from these shadows, but they always seem to find them again. This touching graphic novel is much more than just a simple mysterious “fairytale.” The deeper story of Three Shadows is much more powerful and stronger to me as I’m going through the same journey that Cyril explains. The underline story is about a kid (Joachim) who enjoys life and then an incurable disease or sickness comes upon them, (cancer) which makes their parents or best friends take them on an adventure away from death as they don’t know how to live life without them. It happens to millions of people every year and in fact, my best friend right now is staying strong through her battle of brain cancer. The thought of losing someone makes people want to try their hardest at everything, and Cyril Pedrosa made an artistic comic about it, which makes people realize the importance of making every second last with the people that they love. “I know just how precious such moments are…” When Louis, the father of Joachim, says this to the man who rescues him, he then expresses the importance of time with his son as he knows the end is near. He might now the fatal ending but continues to avoid the thought and to think of the present rather than the future....more

The illustrations in "Three Shadows" are black and white, and at first glance, they look to be simplistic sketches. However, as a person reads the book, one can see how the illustrations are reflective of the current mood and tension of the story. The sketches are actually ink drawings that are rather detailed upon closer inspection. The book could be considered either part of the fantasy or horror genre, depending on a person's interpretation of death personified. Although the book is not scaryThe illustrations in "Three Shadows" are black and white, and at first glance, they look to be simplistic sketches. However, as a person reads the book, one can see how the illustrations are reflective of the current mood and tension of the story. The sketches are actually ink drawings that are rather detailed upon closer inspection. The book could be considered either part of the fantasy or horror genre, depending on a person's interpretation of death personified. Although the book is not scary, it does have quite a bit of tension.

This book would appeal to people who already enjoy horror and fantasy, particularly supernatural stories. Although the book represents an easy-to-understand fable, I would not recommend this book to first-time graphic novel readers. There was very little dialog and narration, so a large part of the story was told through the illustrations. There were a couple scenes I had to read more than once to make sense of, and there is still one section in particular that I am not sure I completely understand. The book also contains some nudity; Louis and Lise swim and sleep in the nude, and in one scene, their son Joachim joins them in bed when he is frightened. There are also some brief scenes portraying a sex slave. Although none of the scenes are graphic or sexual in nature, some people may feel uncomfortable with this. ...more

It is always traumatic for me to read about the death of a young child. I could do without knowing the shadows' identities at the end, but their spooky presence is wonderful throughout. I definitely related to the uncontrollable desire the parents have, to "do" something, anything, to save their son... even if what they do makes no sense. Their despair and their son's incomprehension of it is well drawn in the text and images.

A beautifully illustrated story of a dad trying to protect his young son from the shadows. An allegory for death and making the most of the time you have, the wonderful artwork contributed much to the overall story. While I don't usually read graphic novels, I was very impressed by this one! Life was simple, things changed when the shadows came, the dad tries to protect his son by running and sacrificing everything for his son but in the end realizes that there are some things you can't protectA beautifully illustrated story of a dad trying to protect his young son from the shadows. An allegory for death and making the most of the time you have, the wonderful artwork contributed much to the overall story. While I don't usually read graphic novels, I was very impressed by this one! Life was simple, things changed when the shadows came, the dad tries to protect his son by running and sacrificing everything for his son but in the end realizes that there are some things you can't protect those you love from. The beautiful part comes in knowing that life moves on and that you manage to go on even through the heartbreak and sorrow. A touching reminder to enjoy those moments you have with those you love whether they be long or short. I keep coming back to this book and remembering little things that made it a heart wrenchingly beautiful read. Definitely take the time to read and ponder - it is worth it!...more

Depressing...but it's part of the author's intention. I guess the lingering feeling I get from the ending of this graphic novel is more along the lines of "bittersweet," but man the path to get there was long and arduous. Again, I say this all in favour of the comic. It certainly has pathos. And the art is wonderful. It took a bit for to see how it was operating, but once I clued in to some of the illustrative techniques that Pedrosa was subtly weaving into the tale, I was very impressed and movDepressing...but it's part of the author's intention. I guess the lingering feeling I get from the ending of this graphic novel is more along the lines of "bittersweet," but man the path to get there was long and arduous. Again, I say this all in favour of the comic. It certainly has pathos. And the art is wonderful. It took a bit for to see how it was operating, but once I clued in to some of the illustrative techniques that Pedrosa was subtly weaving into the tale, I was very impressed and moved.

This one definitely garners a reread and its worth your time! I found it very easy to finish in a day or so once I got started. However, I would definitely recommend you read this when you are feeling up to the task of bearing the characters' pain and plight, as for many I believe the subject matter could really get under your skin and trigger depression on the wrong day. ...more

I love First Second books. Beautiful cover, lovely pages. This definitely feels like a translation - tone is a little free, themes are crazy sophisticated. Beautiful, sad story, that gets pretty symbolic at the end. Sad, but lovely.

Another beautiful, big graphic novel from the French comics culture; an allegorical fairy tale of a story, with art clearly in the la nouvelle vague of French comics, reminiscent of Manu Larcenet, Christophe Blain and strangely enough even of Lorenzo Mattotti. The art is stunning, and you can tell that Pedrosa is an animator and that he has worked for Disney. It’s a bit like reading a French version of Bone by Jeff Smith, another animator turned comics artist.

The story follows a young family liAnother beautiful, big graphic novel from the French comics culture; an allegorical fairy tale of a story, with art clearly in the la nouvelle vague of French comics, reminiscent of Manu Larcenet, Christophe Blain and strangely enough even of Lorenzo Mattotti. The art is stunning, and you can tell that Pedrosa is an animator and that he has worked for Disney. It’s a bit like reading a French version of Bone by Jeff Smith, another animator turned comics artist.

The story follows a young family living a simple, peaceful life in the woods, until three shadows starts to haunt them. The father finally sets out on a kind of quest to get rid of the shadows, who seems to be after his young son. In the end he fails, but the story still has a happy ending, which is a blessing. As a father off two, reading stories about children dying and parents trying to protect them at any cost is rather painful.

Again I would have liked to have the opportunity to hand out half stars, as I wavered between 4 and 5. The whole story is beautiful and moving, but there are parts that are perhaps a bit too long, and some story telling threads does not have, for me, fully satisfying endings. In the end, as can bee seen, I opted for the higher rating, choosing to give it five stars, which I do not do often. But it is just too good and too beautiful to have it share shelf with many other books I've given a 4 star rating. ...more

When you say "comics," most people think of either newspaper strips or spandex-clad superheroes; neither style really properly showcase the possibilities of the medium. On the other hand, "Three Shadows" is a perfect example of the complexity that can be achieved in a comic.

This book is so incredible, I don't even want to say too much about it and spoil the experience. Pedrosa's lush pencils are gorgeous, his creativity is abundant, and the story is so beautifully sad that it's nearly indescribaWhen you say "comics," most people think of either newspaper strips or spandex-clad superheroes; neither style really properly showcase the possibilities of the medium. On the other hand, "Three Shadows" is a perfect example of the complexity that can be achieved in a comic.

This book is so incredible, I don't even want to say too much about it and spoil the experience. Pedrosa's lush pencils are gorgeous, his creativity is abundant, and the story is so beautifully sad that it's nearly indescribable. "Three Shadows" is simply fantastic! Easily in my Top 3 favorite graphic novels of all time. ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.The art was amazing. Beautiful, emotional lines. Simple. It starts with circles and lots of white space and then as the story gets darker and increasingly hopeless, there's a lot more dark space.

I would have liked to see more of the relationship between the mother and father after Joachim goes with the three shadows. I especially believe this would have been more interesting and emotional than the bit where the shadows chase down the man who stole the father's life. For me, the little gambol intThe art was amazing. Beautiful, emotional lines. Simple. It starts with circles and lots of white space and then as the story gets darker and increasingly hopeless, there's a lot more dark space.

I would have liked to see more of the relationship between the mother and father after Joachim goes with the three shadows. I especially believe this would have been more interesting and emotional than the bit where the shadows chase down the man who stole the father's life. For me, the little gambol into high society took away from the power of the rest if the story. ...more

Three Shadows is a graphic novel with great art, it has good tempo and makes you want to keep reading. It is a story about a simple family and a simple life in a country cottage home. You can taste cherries, smell the river and enjoy the family dog.

The panels are laid out well and flow, as is the dialogue. Without giving away the story, the tempo picks up and there is danger, adventure and evil lurking in the shadows. Life was simple and then everything changed.

A great work indeed by Cyril PedThree Shadows is a graphic novel with great art, it has good tempo and makes you want to keep reading. It is a story about a simple family and a simple life in a country cottage home. You can taste cherries, smell the river and enjoy the family dog.

The panels are laid out well and flow, as is the dialogue. Without giving away the story, the tempo picks up and there is danger, adventure and evil lurking in the shadows. Life was simple and then everything changed.

A great work indeed by Cyril Pedrosa, A French comic writer. Three Shadows was born out of Pedrosa’s experience and agony of watching his close friends child die very young. His visual narrative has combined myths, spirits, this life and the after life in a smooth but fast moving graphic novel. Bravo! ...more

This was a weird one.I didn't like the art style at first, but the more I read of the story, the more I appreciated it and thought it was fitting. But then there's the problem of the story itself . . .

I think I missed something. I didn't fully understand what was going on and my brain just kind of noped out during some parts of the book, so I don't blame the author for not making it engaging. I blame myself for not being engaged and not paying attention, which usually results in me giving a bookThis was a weird one.I didn't like the art style at first, but the more I read of the story, the more I appreciated it and thought it was fitting. But then there's the problem of the story itself . . .

I think I missed something. I didn't fully understand what was going on and my brain just kind of noped out during some parts of the book, so I don't blame the author for not making it engaging. I blame myself for not being engaged and not paying attention, which usually results in me giving a book three stars.

Cyril Pedrosa began his career in animation, working on the Disney films "Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "Hercules." He has since become a rising star in a new kind of graphic storytelling, combining the influences of animation and the literary traditions of Borges, Garcia Marquez, and Tolkien to create a unique visual handwriting.

“Back then life was simple and sweet. Everything was simple and sweet. The taste of cherries, the cool shade, the fresh smell of the river. That was how we lived, in a vale among the hills, sheltered from the storms. Ignorant of the world, as though on an island. Peaceful and untroubled. And then. Then everything changed.”
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